Steven Gerrard believed Liverpool were justified in dismissing Arne Slot and felt the timing made sense, yet Gerrard also admitted feeling disappointed for Slot, who had been sacked on Saturday after just two seasons in charge at Anfield.
Liverpool’s decision followed a difficult 2025-26 campaign in which Slot’s side finished fifth in the Premier League, reached the Champions League only on the final day, and suffered 19 defeats in all competitions, despite major signings such as Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak.
Those 19 losses matched Liverpool’s worst tallies of 2004-05 and 2009-10 and were only one short of the 20 defeats recorded in 1992-93, the club’s worst season for losses since their promotion to the top flight in 1962, underlining
the scale of the decline under Slot.
The slump came just one year after Slot had secured the 2024-25 Premier League title, becoming only the fifth manager to win the league in a debut season in the competition, and building expectations that Liverpool would push strongly for further domestic and European trophies.
Reflecting on Slot’s work, Gerrard said: "Not surprised. Gutted for Arne Slot because, in his first year, he had done an incredible job," and added: "Taking the reins from Jurgen Klopp was a tough task and big shoes to fill, and he had done it seamlessly. "
Gerrard also stressed Slot’s achievement in that first season, saying: "It's very difficult to win the Premier League, and I know that more than most, so for him to deliver that in year one cannot be forgotten, so I think he will go down in the history books and be remembered forever. "
Arne helped us deliver our 20th title and well always be thankfulpic.twitter.com/0rpzDPQ4U6Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 30, 2026
However, Gerrard highlighted how performances had deteriorated, saying: "Having said that, in the last 10 games of last season and the majority of this season, we have not looked like Liverpool. The style, it has been difficult to watch at times. It looks disjointed, broken, and when I got the news, of course, your initial reaction is surprise and shock, but when you analyse it, it's probably the right time in my opinion. "
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah had already voiced concern about the tactical direction under Slot, criticising the approach and calling for a return to the intense, aggressive "heavy metal" football that defined Jurgen Klopp’s nine-year tenure, during which Liverpool won major domestic and European honours.
Liverpool targets Andoni Iraola after Bournemouth Premier League surge
Attention at Liverpool now turned towards possible successors, with Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola widely tipped as the leading candidate after guiding the Cherries to sixth place in the 2025-26 Premier League and securing Europa League qualification, the highest league finish in the club’s history.
Bournemouth’s strong campaign under Iraola featured an 18-match unbeaten run to finish the season, with eight victories and 10 draws; among non-champions, only Chelsea in 2007-08 with 21 games, and Liverpool in 2021-22 with 19 games, had longer end-of-season unbeaten streaks.
Gerrard felt Iraola’s profile matched what Liverpool might seek, stating: "Potentially, yes. I think he has done a fabulous job at Bournemouth. I think his style would suit Liverpool. Let's not beat around the bush. Liverpoolis an attractive job for a lot of elite managers around the world, so I don't think he will be the only name on the table. But because of the link to Bournemouth and the guys that have come from Bournemouth to Liverpool in terms of board level, they will know him very well. But then, there are other names out there as well that I am sure would want that Liverpool job. It's a huge job in world football. Potentially, to answer your question, I think he should be in the conversation, yes. "
Slot’s dismissal left Liverpool reflecting on a season of disappointing results after a title win, balancing respect for Slot’s achievement with concern over the recent performances, while the club hierarchy assessed candidates such as Iraola for one of the most demanding roles in European football.
